I've had MINI envy for a while now, and the more I see them on the road or visit my sister, the itch just comes back. Unfortunately, I have a 2010 Honda Civic I got from a family member who couldn't keep it, but that MINI-itch just won't go away. The temptation to trade it is an option but I know I'll take a beating on the $$$$$. Any of the MINI-faithful have any ideas?

 

I traded in a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid loaded for my MINI.
You might want to do what I did, I made them an offer on the Service Deaprtment loaner that was comming up for sale. I got mine in 2009, and it was a 2009, it had 7,200 miles on it. I got my warranty to start at 7,200, and to boot I was able to get $7,200.00 off of the list price. Its got all the options that I wanted too. Just food for thought. I don't miss the Hybrid, the MINI is just that much more fun to drive. If you can find a deal like I did you should go for it.

 

See what the MINI dealer can do for you...maybe they have a 2010 they need to sell that will scratch your itch once and for all. Once you have their offer take the Honda to your nearest Carmax and see what they will pay for it. Third option is to put it on Craigslist and see what you can get for it...but before you do any of those things get on www.kbb.com and get the current trade, private-party, and retail values for your Civic. Keep us posted and Good luck!

 

If you can afford payments and insurance...go for it. Trade in the Honda and get the MINI...I love mine. You only live once, I didn't want to settle for any car, especially if I was paying this much.

...BTW where in Piscataway are you? I live in Piscataway too.

 

That is pretty much the point I'm starting to get to, I may in a week or two stop over at Princeton MINI and see what's possible .

 

Yeah I say go for it. I got mine from Morristown MINI. I had no problems with them, they were very helpful and very patient with me. It took me a while to figure out what I was going to do....around 5 months before I made my final decision, and they stuck with my for the 5 months. I'm completely satisfied with the car, and I always get stares. I actually recevied my first compliment from a complete stranger today. I was pulling into my office and someone stopped near me, I thought he was going to ask for directions, but he said he loved the way my turbo spool sounded. I was pretty happy about it.

 

Hope you post more pics

 

This is basically it. Tinted windows...Tinted headlights/blacked out tailights. Blacked out beltline, headlight rings, tailight rings and gas cap.

 

Nice ride, I like the rims and of course the Chili Red

 

Thanks man!

 

I know your pain. I have an '08 Honda Civic Si that I'm trading in for my Mini that I've wanted for some time but couldn't make things work financially in the past. I had to wait a few years for the depreciation scale to drop off and now am in a position where I owe significantly less than what the car is worth.

But, you'd be surprised how well those Hondas hold their value after a little while. I'd go to the Mini dealer and get them to appraise it for trade-in. Use all the tools you can to save cost: Since we're getting close to the end of the model year you might be able to find something they would be willing to deal on. You'll only have to pay tax on the difference between the new car value and the value of your trade-in. And you can do a title-swap since you're in-state which will cut registration costs in half.

I know you're in Piscataway, but I'd be more than happy to send you the contact info of the MA I worked with at Prestige Mini (I really wasn't thrilled with Princeton Mini). best of luck and I hope it works out!